Stoeger Cougar

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I saw one of these in my local gun store the other day and was surprised at the relatively inexpensive price. It looked to be well finished and fit my grip very good. I know it's a Beretta even though Stoeger produces them in Turkey. Do any of you guys have any experience with this gun and and what are the pros. and cons?
Dennis

Well, I searched all 14 pages on Beretta and everybody who owns one had nothing bad to say about it. Jumped in the truck and headed to my favorite dealer and bought one. Took it apart and cleaned it. Can't wait to test it. A pretty good bargain for $400.00 bucks.

Congratulations Dougsboy on the purchase..I think that you made a very good choice..Here is an excerpt quoting the website :The Best 9mm Pistol under $510" stating the writer's opinion on the Stoegr Cougar:

Again this is quoting the reference, 13. Stoeger Cougar 8000: Haggle Price $360-$390 Beretta replaced the Cougar with the PX4, and moved Cougar production to Turkey. The Cougar 8000 was too good to let die. With lower production cost, You can now get a Cougar for half the price! Allow about 300 rounds for the trigger to smooth out. The accuracy is amazing with the short 3.62" barrel. We are talking 2" groups from a rest at 25 yards! Accuracy is better than many full size pistols. This gun is so tight! The rotating barrel design and great trigger are the reason the Stoeger Cougar 8000 shoots so good. This proven design feeds all types of 9mm ammo just fine. The recoil feels like a .380 ACP. The magazine for this gun holds 15 rounds. Great pistol bargain for concealed carry or duty use.

Congratulations Dougsboy on the purchase..I think that you made a very good choice..Here is an excerpt quoting the website :The Best 9mm Pistol under $510" stating the writer's opinion on the Stoegr Cougar:

Again this is quoting the reference, 13. Stoeger Cougar 8000: Haggle Price $360-$390 Beretta replaced the Cougar with the PX4, and moved Cougar production to Turkey. The Cougar 8000 was too good to let die. With lower production cost, You can now get a Cougar for half the price! Allow about 300 rounds for the trigger to smooth out. The accuracy is amazing with the short 3.62" barrel. We are talking 2" groups from a rest at 25 yards! Accuracy is better than many full size pistols. This gun is so tight! The rotating barrel design and great trigger are the reason the Stoeger Cougar 8000 shoots so good. This proven design feeds all types of 9mm ammo just fine. The recoil feels like a .380 ACP. The magazine for this gun holds 15 rounds. Great pistol bargain for concealed carry or duty use.

I've shot the Cougar in the same session as a Beretta and got the 2 mixed up. I really like the Cougar and hope to add one to my collection one day. Recoil seems almost non-existent when shot against other 9s.

Did anyone notice what came in at #25 on that best9mm site? The reviews there seem fairly accurate on the guns I've shot on the list, though.

A local gun store just got a shipment of Cougars in and they do feel very good in the hand and the price seems right but they sure are heavy. As I am looking for a CC I wish they came in poly. Anybody carry one of these everyday and if so what carry method works well?

Do a search around the forums here. There has been some talk about these in the past. I have one that my girlfriend has put over 1400 rounds through without a single malfunction. It sits in our nightstand, since I work nights and she's most comfortable with it. It's an excellent weapon and a great value.

I saw one of these in my local gun store the other day and was surprised at the relatively inexpensive price. It looked to be well finished and fit my grip very good. I know it's a Beretta even though Stoeger produces them in Turkey. Do any of you guys have any experience with this gun and and what are the pros. and cons?
Dennis

Hi Dougsboy,
Have you had a chance to do any shooting yet with your new Cougar? I am in the market for my first 9mm handgun too, and I am looking at this model, among a zillion others. I like the ergonomics and the reviews are good, but as you know, there are soooo many choices. Others on my serious buy list are: FN Herstal FNP 9; Glock 17 or 19; XD9; Ruger SR9 and Beretta PX4.
I'd love to hear your shooting impressions.
How is the fit and finish?
Does the barrel align with steel rails or plastic?
How is the recoil?
Thanks for the feedback.

Hi Dougsboy,
Have you had a chance to do any shooting yet with your new Cougar? I am in the market for my first 9mm handgun too, and I am looking at this model, among a zillion others. I like the ergonomics and the reviews are good, but as you know, there are soooo many choices. Others on my serious buy list are: FN Herstal FNP 9; Glock 17 or 19; XD9; Ruger SR9 and Beretta PX4.
I'd love to hear your shooting impressions.
How is the fit and finish?
Does the barrel align with steel rails or plastic?
How is the recoil?
Thanks for the feedback.

I have not taken it to the range as of yet but should be going maybe this coming week-end. It is an all steel weapon just like it was when it carried the Beretta name. In fact Beretta still makes it as they actually own Stoeger. It feels very good in the hand. The fit and finish is excellent as Beretta oversees the quality control. The other pistols you name are all extremely fine weapons but with one difference. The Cougar is almost half the price and the quality (IMO) is on par with those more expensive pistols. Stay tuned.

Do a search around the forums here. There has been some talk about these in the past. I have one that my girlfriend has put over 1400 rounds through without a single malfunction. It sits in our nightstand, since I work nights and she's most comfortable with it. It's an excellent weapon and a great value.

+1. Several hundred rounds through mine, which is the .40 version, with no problems at all. Mine also resides on the nightstand beside the bed. Great gun for the money.

I had a stoeger cougar that seems to be the only lemon they ever made. I loved the way it felt and shot and the price, but unfortunately after 20 to 30 rounds it would constantly ftf or fte. I returned it and picked up a glock instead. If I come across another I will buy it. I've worked in manufacturing my whole life and sometimes a product just comes out flawed. I won't badmouth a manufacturer just because of one bad gun. Asside from that one I've heard nothing but good about them. I just have bad luck.

I highly recommend the CrossBreed Super Tuck. I carry mine daily in one and it is as easy to hide and as comfortable as my Colt Detective Special in it's SuperTuck. Can't go wrong with one. I love my Cougar 8000 and it is a perfect hand gun after some 2500 rounds through it.

I have not taken it to the range as of yet but should be going maybe this coming week-end. It is an all steel weapon just like it was when it carried the Beretta name. In fact Beretta still makes it as they actually own Stoeger. It feels very good in the hand. The fit and finish is excellent as Beretta oversees the quality control. The other pistols you name are all extremely fine weapons but with one difference. The Cougar is almost half the price and the quality (IMO) is on par with those more expensive pistols. Stay tuned.

Thanks for the reply. I'll look forward to hearing how it shoots. I wonder how the Cougar stands up to the Sig P250. I have narrowed down my search for a first 9mm to one or the other and possibly the XD9 or CZ 75 P-01. The price difference is amazing.